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SEIZURE
Forbidden Tales

Self-released (2022)
Rating: 8/10

Forbidden Tales is the second thrash metal explosion from Los Angeles, California-based outfit Seizure, and from the off this is an effective opus dripping with polished melody and aggression as the band combines a Megadeth-styled sneer and complexity.

The debut full-length offering Born In The Dark impressed me greatly last year and the combo has gone up a notch with this immediately rewarding platter that features an almost timeless array of crisp thrash. The track ‘Banished Into Fable’ has been on repeat and I just love the fluidity and catchiness where I’m reminded of Metal Church, Toxik et al.

What is clear here is that the guys aren’t interested in creating retro thrash. Seizure has their own style in there but more importantly they can write superb songs. ‘Images In The Tea Leaves’ is brisk and brazen and one of the most aggressive outings on the opus.

Hats off to drummer Justin Pittman for his ravenous outbursts, but in general everything about this record is just so tight, whether it’s the blazing leads and sneering vocals (‘Potion Seller’) or the atmospheric nuances and speed (‘Interior Castle’). I also adore Joey Love’s vocal snarls and the effective barrage riffs (‘Carpathian Moon’), and just worship at the altar of the musicianship (‘Tongues Of Fire’) in general.

This takes me back to the halcyon days of thrash metal that was so effectively rounded off by Megadeth’s dazzling 1990 Rust In Peace record, so if you like that sort of worship but still want to be energised and pleased then Forbidden Tales is the joyous gem I’d suggest grabbing hold of.

Neil Arnold

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